Shipping device



strength, and thereby reduce the dunnage Patented Mar. 6, 192s.

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SHIPPING DEVICE.

Application m d Iarch 7, 1924. Serial no. 697,623.

This invention relates to means for holding boxes during shipment and one of the objects is to rovide; such a means that will firmly hold t e boxes in place without any spikes or nails being driven into the boxes for that purpose. I

Another object is to provide means which will allow the boxes tobe quickly loaded to and unloaded from shipping position.

Another object is to provide means which will be light in weight, without sacrificing charges.

Still another objectis to provlde such a device that will be simple in construction and eflicient in operation.v

In the shipping of large boxes by railroad,

particularly crated automobiles on flat cars, the greatest difiiculty is encountered in properly securing them so that they Wlll not move: or shift their position on the flat car,

when the same is subjected to the severe shocks or jars particularly experienced in switching. For this reason it has been the custom of shippers to secure the boxes together by running boards, planks, or the like between and across the boxes and nailing them to the boxes, and nailing or spiking the lower boxes directly to the floor of the railroad car. This method, althou h usually sufiicient to hold'the boxes on t e cars, is such that a severe shock or jar is likely to move or shift the boxes, causing the nails or spikes to pull out or tear the boxes where they are nailedf The labor involved in securing the boxeson the freight car and in removing them from the same is considerable and inasmuch as the laborers engaged in-removing the boxes from the freight cars are notoriously 'disregardful of the manner in which they unload the boxes, or mutilate them, the damage resulting from removing the securing membersby crow-bars and the like is very often of great consequence. Another objection to the conventional method of securing such boxes is that it necessitates the use of considerablelumber whiohis generally a total loss after shipment and which of course increases the dunnage charges.

The object 'ofthe present invention, as statedabove, are to provide means for shipping s'uch-boxes by common carrier whereby the objections to the customary means may be overcome, I

The above being among the objects of the care, and as present invention, the same consists of features of construction and methods of application and use, to be hereinafter described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, .having the above and other objects in view.

'*In the accompanying drawings which illustratea suitable embodiment of the 'present invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a railroad flat-car upon which are illustrated three boxes secured for shipment in accordance with. the present invention.

Flgure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of objects of Figure 1 taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

' Figure 3. 1s a perspective view of the conventional stake pocket of a flat car.

F igure 1 is a perspective view showing the manner of securing the lower-hooked ends of the tie-down clamp rods to the stake pockets of the flat car.

Figure '5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one ofthe interlocking members and one of the side clamps used in the'construction of Figure 1 and Figure 2 in the rip proximate relative positions that they assume in's'ecuring the boxes for shipment.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of a modified construction wherein one ormore boxes are shipped wholly and directly above another box. 1

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the side clamps of the construction shown in Figure 6, showing them in 'their approximate relative position which theyassume. in. securing the boxes during shipment.

Although device is applicable for shipping large boxes or crates of an type, I have shown in'the it is to be understood that this accompanying rawings boxes in'which may be assumed to be automobiles, inasmuch as these are relatively large and heavy/and must be handled with a certain amount of has been explained, a great amount of difficulty has been experienced in the shipping of the same by the use of the conventional securing means.

In Figures 1 and upon which are mounted three boxes 11, 12 and 13. The boxes 11 and 12 are positioned end to end directly upon the floor of the flat 2 is shown a flat car 10 1 car 10 with their adjacent ends spaced apart. Spacer blocks 14, of a length equal to the distance betwen the ends of the boxes 11 and 12, are spiked directly to the floor of the fiat car 10 and are for the purpose of preventing either of the boxes 11 or 12 from shifting on the flat car in the direction of the spacer blocks 14. Along the other end and along the sides of the boxes 11 and 12 and abutting against the boxes 11 and 12 are blocks 15, which I prefer to call foot brackets, securely spiked to the floor of the freight car 10. These foot brackets 15 are for the purpose of preventing the boxes 11 and 12 from moving or shifting on the floor of the flat car 10 in their direction. It will be thus seen that the boxes 11 and 12 are prevented from relative movement in any horizontal direction relative to the floor of the flat car 10 by the spacer blocks 14 and the foot brackets 15, and this without a nail or spike being driven in the boxes themselves for that purpose. This means alone is ordinarily not sufficient to hold the boxes firmly or securely enough should the flat car be subjected to an unusually severe jar or shock and further means are provided to reinforce or add to this as will later be explained.

Above the boxes 11 and 12 and preferably positioned at substantially an equal amount over each of these boxes is the third box 13, which is prevented from movement lengthwise of the flat car 10 by means which I prefer to call interlocking members. Each interlocking member is composed of a flat member shown as a plank 16 which has two blocks or brackets 17 and 18 secured to each end, the block or bracket 17 at one end being secured to and extending upwardly from the upper face of the .plank 16 and the block 18 at the other end being secured to and extending downwardly from the lower face of the plank 16, the assembly forming a type of a narrowed Z. The result accomplished is in effect two oppositely extending stop faces 19 and 20 (see Figure 5), formed by the ends of the blocks 17 and 18, spaced apart from each other and prevented from spreading by being secured to the plank 16. Two or more of these interlocking members are preferably used under each end of the box 13. They are positioned longitudinally of the flat car 10 between the bottom-of the box 13 and the tops of the boxes 11 and 12 in such a manner that the planks 16 separate the boxes, the stop faces 19 abut against one end of the box 13 and the sto faces 20 abut against the inner end of the ox 11 or 12 directly below it. If either of the stop faces 19 or 20 do not abut tightly against the adjacent end of its box, a wedge such as 21 (Figure 5) may be driven in between it and.

the box and thus prevent any possibility of endwise movement of the box 13. The effect of the interlocking members s quite evident, the members under each end of the box 13 locking that end of the box from moving longitudinally in that direction and consequently locking the whole box from moving in either direction longitudinally.

In order to preventthe box 13 from lateral movement, notches 22 are cut in the planks 16 approximately mid-way their length and rods 23 are passed through the notches 22, crosswise of the boxes, and clam blocks 2% are placed over the ends, bearing against both the upper and lower box, and are drawn up securely in contact therewith by nuts threaded on the ends of the rods 23 outside of the blocks 24. It is preferable to have at least one of these side clamps under each end of the box 13, although more may .be used if considered desirable or necessary. The relative operative positions of the in terlocking members and the side clamps are clearly shown in perspective in Figure 5.

As mentioned above, it is deemed advisable to provide further means than those already described to prevent shifting of the load, this especially in view of the fact that any tendency of the box 13 to shift will be directly transmitted to either the box 11 or 12, and it is also advisable, if not necessary to provide means for preventing the boxes from bouncing above the blocks 14 and 15 or interlocking members, which bouncing might under certain conditions release the boxes from the same. Both of these conditions are taken care of by one means which is as follows. Across the center of the box 13 is placed a cross member 25, which I prefer to call a load clamp which extends over each side. Through each end of the load clamp 25 is passed a rod 26 which extends downwardly and engages one of the stake pockets 27 of the flat car 10 b its hooked end 28. Nuts 29 threaded on tiie upper end of the rod 26 are drawn down and draw the load clamp 25 down upon the box 13, thereby securely holding all the boxes, 11. 12 and 13 to the floor of the flat car 10 and prevent the same from bouncing. It also has the effect of causing a marked increase in the friction between the box 13 and boxes 11 and 12, and between the boxes 11 and 12 and the floor of the freight car 10. This increased fric I tion together with the means described is amply suflicient to prevent any shock ordinarily experienced in shipping from moving the boxes. Should the boxes be shiftedfrom some extraordinary box 13 will carry the load clamp 25. along with it and will thereby effect a tightening down of the load, increasing the friction and preventing further movement of the load in that direction. In orderto-prevent a possible spreading of the hooked end 28 of the rod 26 under severe strain, which spreading might possibly release the clampin effect of the load clamp 25, I provide a 0 amp ar it is evident that the member 39 which fits ar'ourfd'the rod 26 and drops over the free end of the book 28.

This prevents any possibility ot the free end of the hook from spreading away fromthe rod 26 as is clearly shown in Figure 4, and is such as to be easily and -s eedily placed in position and removed in lliading and unloading.

A modification ofthis construction is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In Figures 6 is shown one box supported wholly and directly above another, such a modification being adaptable where it is desired to ship one or more boxes directly above the lower one. The load in Figure 6 may be presumed to be a load of four boxes, a fragment only of the two on the rightbeing shown. The actual construction here is but slightly difierent from the three box load. The two bottom boxes 30 and 31 are secured from horizontal movement by the spacer blocks 14 and foot brackets 15 as before. The top boxes 32 and 33 being positioned. wholly and directly above the lower boxes 30 and 31, necessitate a change in the interlocking members which in this case are composed of a flat member shown as a plank .34 having a block 35 secured to its upper face and a block 36 secured to its lower face at one end, and corresponding blocks 37 and 38 box load and in efiect accomplishes the funcload clamp for every tion of two of the interlocking members of the three box load. The top box 32 or 33 is held from longitudinal movement by the stop blocks 35 and 37 which in turn are prevented from longitudinal movement by being secured through the medium of the plank 34 to the lower stop blocks 36 and 38 which engage the opposite ends of the lower box 30 or 31. Notches 22, as before, are provided in the plank 34 for the passing of the rods 23 transversely between the upper and the lower box and clamp blocks 24 are placed over the ends of therods 23 and drawn up to prevent later movement of the top box relative to the lower box. Although but one of these side clamps is shown it is evident that any desired number may be used to eifect the purpose. ,In this case the load clamp 25 is placed over the center of the top box 32 or 33 and is drawn down in precisely the same manner and for the same purpose as in the three box load, the only difference being that a'four, or'more, box load necessitates a set of boxes instead of three boxes as shown in Figure 1,- i l The advantages derived from it use of the foregoing construction are readily apparent. In the first place, less than half of the usual amount of lumber is used in this construction as compared to the conventional construction. This not only saves the cost of this amount of lumber but also decreases nails or spikes used insecuring the .entire load are those used in the foot brackets 15 and spacer blocks 14, the load may be quicklyand easily placed in position on the flat car and securedthereto in a manner that effectually resists all movement or displacement due to jars, etc. Then, by reason of the fact that it is only necessary in removing the load to remove the load clamp 25 by loosening the nuts 29 or by severing the rods 26 by a bolt cutter or other suitable means and loosen up the side clamps 24, there being no nails or spikes driven into the boxes themselves for the purpose ofsecuring them to the flat car or to each other, it is evident that much labor is saved and there. is little probability of'damage to the boxes in the removal of the same. The interlocking members, side clamps, spacer blocks, foot brackets, load clamps, rods, etc., are all such that they may be prepared prior to and entirely independent of the loading operation itself. This has the effect of allowing the loading to be done in aquick, eflicient and economical manner.

While the constructions shown are mainly, of wood it is quite evident that the wooden, members may be readily replaced by iron,

steel, pressed steel or other metal construction, the necessary structural features 01 which would be within the scope of any good workman skilled in the art, and I do not limit my invention tothe use of wooden members.

While I have shown and described but two modifications of my present invention in the foregoing drawings and description, it is readily apparent that the same may be adapted to a wide variety of forms and applications, and I do notlimit myself to the particular constructions shown. and described, as formal changes may be made in the same without departing from the spirit ion or substance of the broad "invention, the

scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. Means for securing a. box against longitudinal movement relative to a second box sitioned the-rebelow, said means comprismg a plurality of members'independent of each other interposed between said boxes, and stop members engaging the end faces of said boxes secured adjacent the ends of said first-named members.

2. Means for securing superimposed boxes from movement relative to a floor, comprising -blocks'secured to said floor in abutting relation with the sides and ends of the bottom box, longitudinally extending members provided with upwardly and, downwardly extending stop faces adjacent each end thereof positioned between said boxes, said stop faces engaging the ends of said boxes, I

clamping members overlying the adjacent side edges of said boxes, means for drawing said clamping members against said boxes, a clamping bar positioned across the top box laterally thereof, and means for drawing said clamping bar toward said floor.

3. Means for securing a box against movement positioned above and supported by two boxes positioned in spaced apart relation end to end on a'floor, said means comprisin inextensible members positioned below said second box and above said two boxes, and stop members secured to said inextensible members engaging the ends of said box and the inner ends of said boxes.

4. Means for securing a box against movement positioned above and supported by two boxes positioned in spaced apart relation end to end on a floor, said means comprisin members positioned below said box and a ove said two boxes, and oppositely extending stop members secured adjacent to the ends of said members engaging the ends of said box and the inner ends of said two boxes.

5. Means for securing a box against horizontal movement positioned above and supported by two boxes positioned on a floor, said means comprising a plurality of members ositioned between said upper box and said ower boxes, each of said members being provided at one end with a downwardly projecting stop face adapted to engage an end of one of the lower boxes and at the opposite end with an upwardly projecting stop {)ace adapted to engage an end of said upper 6. Means for securing a box against horizontal movement positioned above and supported by two boxes positioned in spaced, apart relation end to end on a floor, said means comprising inextensible members each having an upwardly extending stop face engaging one end of said upper box and a downwardly extending face engaging the inner end of the box therebelow to thereby prevent longitudinal movement of said upper box relative to said lower boxes, and inextensible members haivng stop faces mounted thereon extending transversely between said up er and lower boxes to thereby prevent latera movement of said upper box relative to said lower boxes.

7. Means for securing a box against movement supported by two boxes positioned in spaced apart relation end to end upon a floor; said means comprising stop faces secured to a member extending between said upper and lower boxes engaging the ends of said upper box and the adjacent ends of said two boxes; clamping members extending over the adjacent lateral faces of said boxes; means for drawing said clampin members into close relationship with sai lateral faces; a clamp bar extending over said upper box; and means for drawing said clamp bar towards said floor.

8. In a flat car having a floor and stake pockets, two lower spaced apart boxes positioned end to end on said floor, a third box overlying a part of and supported by each of said lower boxes, longitudinally extending members between the upperbox and lower boxes having upwardly extending stop faces engaging the ends of said upper box and downwardly extending stop faces engaging the adjacent ends of the lower boxes, lateral clamping members overlying the adjacent edges of the upper and lower boxes, means for drawing said clamping members towards each other, a clamping bar extending over said upper box, rods havin hooked ends engaging said stake pockets and threaded ends projecting through said clamping bar, and nuts threaded on said rods above said bar for drawing said bar down on said upper box.

9. Lateral securing means for a box supported by a plurality of boxes, said means comprising members positioned between the said box and said plurality of boxes, each member being provided with stop faces perpendicular thereto engaging a vertical slde of said box and a vertical side of one of the plurality of boxes.

10. Means for preventing lateral movement of one box in relation to a box or boxes positioned therebelow, said means comprising a member having parallel top and bottom faces extending between the lower face of the upper box and the adjacent face of a box therebelow, said member having a stop face perpendicular to itstop face engaging a vertical wall of one box and a stop face parallel with said first stop face en aging a vertical wall disposed at a relative y opposite end or side of said box therebelow.

11. Means for securing a box against longitudinal movement superimposed over a similar box in shipment, said means'comrising a member independent of said boxes interposed between said boxes and provided with oppositely extending stop faces adjacent to its ends adapted to engage the end faces of said boxes.

12. Means for securing a box superimposed over a similar box in shipment against orizontal and vertical movement, said means comprising inextensible members between said boxes provided with stop faces engaging the end faces of said boxes, a clamping bar positioned transversely of said incxtensible members extending over said upper boxes, and means cooperating with said clamping bar for securing said upper box against said lower box.

13. Means for securing a box against movement relative to a second box positioned therebelow and supporting the same, said means comprising mextensible members extending between said boxes longitudinally thereofand provided with projectin stop faces engaging the end faces of both oxes, inextensible members having stops engaging the adjacent side edges of said boxes, means .for drawing said boxes into close relationship with said edges, and means for drawing said upper box down into close relationship with said lower box.

14. Means for securing superimposed boxes during shipment from movement relative to a floor, said means comprising a member extending longitudinally between said boxes provided at its opposite-ends with stop faces engaging the end faces of said boxes, blocks secured to said floor en aging the side and end walls of said lower ox-to prevent horimember extending transversely between said boxes and having. stop faces perpendicular to said member adjacent to each end thereof engaging the side walls of each of said boxes.

Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A. this 23rd day of February, 1924.

RICHARD E. BAUS.

comprising a relatively thin inextensible 

